Wellfleet Non-Resident Taxpayers Association
Minutes of the August 1, 2003 Board Meeting
Present: Dorothy Altman, Lila Croen, Aida Donald, Dave Garrison (via speaker phone), Chick Holtkamp, Curt Lippincott, Marian Palley, Ed Rullman, Marion Sanders, Jean Schaefer, May Ruth Seidel.
The meeting, which was held at the home of Jean Schaefer, was called to order by May Ruth Seidel. Minutes of the July 2, 2003 Board meeting were approved as written.
Treasurer's reports, covering the periods from January 1, 2003 - August 1, 2003 and from January 1, 2000 - August 1, 2003 were accepted. For the current year, total income to date is $ 2660, with expenses of $1611.55 and a balance of $1048.45.
Nominating Committee Report. Lila Croen, who served as chair of the nominating committee, reported that the following have been nominated to serve second two-year terms as directors: Tom Baratz, Lila Croen, Dave Garrison, Chick Holtkamp, Marian Palley, May Ruth Seidel and Mary Von Kaesborg. Nominees to serve their first term as directors are Karen Holtkamp, Robert Mangiaratti and Marilyn Silver. The slate of officers nominated to serve two-year terms is as follows: President, May Ruth Seidel; 1st Vice President, Chick Holtkamp; Secretary, Lila Croen; Treasurer, Curt Lippincott. Marion Sanders will serve the second year of her term as 2nd Vice President. Nominations will be presented to the membership at the annual meeting.
Although May Ruth had indicted that she did not wish to serve a second term as president, she has agreed to serve one more year in that capacity. Given the difficulty of selecting her replacement, Lila suggested that the chair of the Nominating Committee be named at the next Board meeting so that adequate time can be devoted to selecting the next president.
A question was raised as to whether the vacancy on the board created by the recent death of Dick Langerman should be filled at this time. After some discussion, it was agreed that it need not be filled at this time, but that the Board has the option of selecting a new director if it seems desirable. Several ways of commemorating Dick's death were discussed. It was agreed that we would donate $100 and that Chick would explore with Suzanne Thomas, the Wellfleet Director of Recreation, how they might best use such a donation.
President's Report. May Ruth reported on a meeting that she and Lila attended with the presidents of non-resident groups from Brewster, Eastham and Truro. They felt that the meeting was a useful way of exchanging ideas and information. Items that they felt were of interest to our Association include the following:
-One association has board members divide the responsibility for attending selectmen meetings and taking factual notes on what happened. (While there was considerable interest in implementing a similar procedure, it was felt that such notes would have to be approved by the President and Administrator before being distributed to the membership. Because of concern that attendance at a single meeting would not provide the note taker with enough context for interpreting what is being said, a decision on this was deferred.)
- “Non” might be interpreted as a negative term. Brewster uses the term “Part-Time Residents” to counter this negative emphasis.
- Some associations have a logo.
- Participants agreed to share newsletters. (Marian Palley, editor of our newsletter indicated that she would like to receive copies from other associations.)
- Brewster sends self-addressed return envelopes for dues. (It was agreed that we would do the same in the spring.)
- Each year Eastham has those attending meetings complete a membership status form in order to keep current their list of addresses and emails.
- Some associations pass out cards at annual meeting on which membership can write questions for presentation to selectmen. (It was agreed that we would do the same at this year's meeting. Dave agreed to coordinate this.)
Plans for the August 24th Annual Meeting were reviewed. It will be held at the Senior Center at 2PM. Selectmen will be available to discuss issues of concern to the Town and to answer questions. Marion Sanders questioned whether attendance might be adversely affected by holding meetings at the Senior Center because many people may not know where it is.
Contract With Administrative Assistant. The text of the draft agreement was read and amended to state on line 1 that “This is a consulting agreement” and on line 3 the word Assistant was substituted for Officer. Under job description the following was added: and such other duties as requested by the president and to which she agrees. With these changes and additions the agreement was approved unanimously.
New Business.
Aida raised the issue of developing a logo for the association. Although there was general enthusiasm for the idea, questions were raised about whether this would complicate Internet communication or transmission of the newsletter via email. Marian Palley indicated that she could easily accommodate the inclusion of a logo and it was agreed that Tom Baratz would pursue this matter. It was suggested that he send out a request to the membership via email asking them to submit proposals.
Aida also raised the desirability of having an ombudsman for non-resident taxpayers who could serve as an information officer. Jean and May Ruth indicated that they already serve this function. With reference to a specific issue that was brought to May Ruth's attention regarding a safety issue in Town, it was felt that the complainant should raise this at a selectmen's meeting and state that he wants this item included in the minutes. It was also suggested that he bring other drivers with him. May Ruth indicated that she would be willing to inform the Board of Selectmen that this matter will be brought up.
The desirability of alerting members about this matter, and other issues that arise, was discussed. It was felt that the Executive Committee, consisting of officers, could review requests for distribution of information or requests so that the president does not have to make these decisions alone.
The proposal for a Harbor Study, submitted by Ed Rullman was discussed. It was agreed to defer a survey of the membership and to follow the model of the Water Study Committee in which members studied the issue, submitted a report to the membership and then conducted a survey. Ed agreed to chair a Harbor Study and May Ruth suggested that we email the membership to recruit members for this committee. Mary and Dorothy have already indicated an interest in participating in this study.
The Town's reassessment of property was discussed. May Ruth questioned whether Wellfleet is using the best criteria. Marian thought that we should include the criteria that are used in the newsletter. It was agreed that the Association should not take any action on this matter at this time. However, we anticipate that it will be raised by the membership at the Annual Meeting and the selectmen will be prepared to discuss this matter at that time. We will revisit this topic after the Annual Meeting.
Aida reported that Bauhaus homes in the area, designed by notable 20th Century architects such as Gropius, Breuer and Kahn, are in jeopardy and that Gina Coyle is spearheading an effort to save these houses. It was agreed that we should not form another committee to pursue this matter but that interested members should be encouraged to join existing organizations. Chick reported that the librarian want to start a file on these houses and that he is working on this with her.
Old Business. May Ruth reported that the Board of Selectmen wants to limit the size of the committee that will determine what to do about the Catholic Church property and that members of the Board who wished to serve on this committee will probably not be able to do so. However, meetings are open and that can provide an opportunity for non-members to participate in a limited way.
The broader issue of having non-residents serve on Town committees was also discussed, with particular concern expressed about the lack of non-resident participation on the zoning and planning committees of the Town.
Marion Sanders agreed to coordinate plans for the Board's potluck supper on August 29th.
The meeting was adjourned at 6:05 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Lila Croen, Acting Secretary
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